NEW YORK, Jan 2 (Reuters) - The return of ‌ice hockey's biggest stars to the Winter Games could spark a renaissance for the sport on the global stage, as ‌gold-medal favourites United States and Canada handpicked top NHL talent for the Milano-Cortina Olympics.

The National Hockey League has not permitted ‌its athletes to participate in the Games since 2014, putting a damper on the men's Olympic ice hockey tournament as the world's best players were forced to stay home in 2018 and 2022.